Analysis of the Giacobini-Zinner bow wave
Conference
·
OSTI ID:6839100
The cometary bow wave of P/Giacobini-Zinner has been analyzed using the complete set of ICE field and particle observations to determine if it is a shock. Changes in the magnetic field and plasma flow velocities from upstream to downstream have been analyzed to determine the direction of the normal and the propagation velocity of the bow wave. The velocity has then been compared with the fast magnetosonic wave speed upstream to derive the Mach number and establish whether it is ''supersonic'', i.e., a shock, or ''subsonic,'' i.e., a large amplitude wave. The various measurements have also been compared with values derived from a Rankine-Hugoniot analysis. The results indicate that, inbound, the bow wave is a shock with M = 1.5. Outbound, a subsonic mach number is obtained, however, arguments are presented that the bow wave is also likely to be a shock at this location. 11 refs., 4 figs., 2 tabs.
- Research Organization:
- Los Alamos National Lab., NM (USA); Jet Propulsion Lab., Pasadena, CA (USA); Imperial Coll. of Science and Technology, London (UK); Maryland Univ., College Park (USA); National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Greenbelt, MD (USA). Goddard Space Flight Center; European Space Research and Technology Centre, Noordwijk (Netherlands)
- DOE Contract Number:
- W-7405-ENG-36
- OSTI ID:
- 6839100
- Report Number(s):
- LA-UR-87-40; CONF-8610207-7; ON: DE87005121
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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